The Anambra State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano to set up a waste recycling plant in the state in line with international best practices.
The resolution was sequel to a motion moved by member representing Nnewi North State Constituency in the House, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor during plenary at Awka last Wednesday.
Moving the motion, Hon. Okafor noted that with the estimated daily generation of 950,000 tons of waste in Anambra State, and with its position as the second state with highest population density in Nigeria, Anambra State must find a more strategic and proactive approach to be adopted in tackling the surging waste generated from different households, institutions and business premises on daily basis.
He however regretted that the idea of waste management in the state was open dumping, burning and landfill, which according to him was a threat to the environment and climate adding that whether degradable or biodegradable, waste should be a wealth to the state.
He pressed on the need for the state to leverage on the critical mass of solid waste being generated in the state especially in Onitsha, Awka and Nnewi, by building a plant that would recycle solid waste and bring out raw materials.
The lawmaker observed that the current practice of lumping all waste both bio-degradable and others would not ensure a clean Anambra which the current government was working towards arguing that the current waste management method of the state was not climate-friendly.
“While degradable wastes can be used as organic fertilizers in agriculture, the non-degradable waste which mostly are nylon bags, pieces of metal scraps, used tyres, rubbers, papers, bottles, plastics, glasses, toxic chemicals, when recycled will bring raw materials that will be used for production.
“The building of this recycling plant will create employment opportunities directly and indirectly through the value chain, will help lower greenhouse gas emissions which cause serious climatic changes, lower production costs and boost the economy of the state”, he said.
He submitted that the government should also encourage the private sector to invest in waste management, whether in waste collection or recycling.
Photo: Member representing Nnewi North Constituency, Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor.
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